City/town Recomendation near WCU

Hey all,

My girlfriend and I will be moving in January from Wisconsin to North Carolina so she can attend nursing school at Western Carolina University. We're looking to live around or in Cullowhee. Does anyone have any experience in Cullowhee, or Waynesville, Sylva, Tuskasegee, Whittier, Franklin, etc...?

We're looking for a place that is close to climbing areas, around a 30 minute max commute to Cullowhee, and has a decent social scene (ie; opportunities to go see live music, coffee shops, good places to eat, etc...).

Thanks in advance!

Sylva, Cullowhee, Webster are all kind of the same town. Not much climbing locally. 1 hour to Cashiers and 1.5 hours to Rumbling Bald or Pisgah. Georgia Areas are also about 1.5 hours drive. Waynesville is closer to climbing but in the winter crossing over pass to get to WCU may be sketchy when weather is bad.

Sylva/Cullowhee is kind of the climbing wasteland for Western NC. Lots of great kayaking though.

Allan

WCU offers a nursing school program where the classes are actually taught in Asheville -- which would be a much better town overall. May be something check into if it's not too late. Otherwise, like Alan said, you're kinda isolated climbing wise.

Your gf should talk to someone in the program--depending on her interests and specific program requirements either Cullowhee or Asheville may be preferable.

And yeah, while WCU has a descent climbing wall, there is not much nearby. There a a few local crags but then it is 60-90 minutes to drive to Cashiers, Looking Glass, etc. Asheville has a greater variety of rock as well as more job opportunities for you.

Pickens Nose is near Franklin. There are some other random domes spread around Highlands. Try to be as far east on 64 as possible.